Curtain barrier with breathable pocket

ABSTRACT

A curtain barrier comprising a curtain body made of a non-porous fabric material and one or more breathable pocket, extending along the bottom edge of the curtain body. The breathable pocket may comprise a mesh or a porous fabric material attached to the curtain body or a hemmed non-porous fabric material comprising a plurality of openings distributed substantially throughout the pocket.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to curtain barriers and more particularly relates to industrial or agricultural curtain barrier comprising breathable hem pockets, which allows air ventilation into the pockets, minimizes sediment collection within the pockets and also facilitates rolling of the curtain more evenly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Large agricultural buildings are commonly cordoned off using membrane curtains to reduce air intrusion while raising livestock including dairy, poultry, and swine. The membrane curtain is rolled up or down as needed throughout the seasons to increase or decrease the airflow inside a structure. Livestock curtains barriers are generally used in environments full of dust and debris that consists of animal feed, manure, dirt and other organic matter.

Traditionally agricultural sidewall curtains comprises a non-porous or near porous material which is folded over at the bottom and hemmed to create a non-breathable, non-ventilated pocket. One of the common limitation with the traditional curtains containing non-porous bottom hem pockets includes trapping of air inside the pockets, due to lack of ventilation. As the curtains are rolled up, air is trapped inside the hem pockets that prevent curtains from rolling up evenly. This can also cause pooling of various air-moisture mixtures.

Another limitation with these traditional curtain barriers with non-porous hem pocket pertains to collection of various types of debris, organic matter and moisture inside the hem pocket which promote microbial growth such as bacteria, mold and mildew growth. Microbial decomposition of the organic matter inside a sewn pocket will deteriorate the sewing thread and cause premature failure of curtain pockets. The pockets also allows accumulation of sediment, dirt or dust particles that are associated with animal feed, manure and soil, which in turn promotes infestation by insects and rodents like mice and rats. The rodents or insects may feed on the organic matter collected within the pocket or feed on the membrane itself, thus damaging the curtain barrier.

Therefore there still exists a need for agricultural or industrial curtains with hem pockets that allows airflow, moisture control, minimal sediment accumulation and consistent, tighter rolling up of the curtains evenly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a curtain barrier for agricultural or industrial applications. The curtain barrier comprises a curtain body made of a non-porous fabric material and at least one breathable pocket, extending along the bottom edge of the curtain body. The breathable pocket may comprise a mesh or a porous fabric material attached to the curtain body, the breathable pocket allows airflow in and out of the pocket, moisture control, reduces collection of sediment and organic matter within the pocket.

In an embodiment, the breathable pocket may comprise a hemmed non-porous fabric material or a hemmed curtain body, consisting a plurality of openings including holes or slits distributed substantially throughout the pocket.

In another embodiment, the breathable pocket at the bottom edge of the curtain barrier allows prevention of air trapping within the pocket and allows rolling up of the curtain barrier evenly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the curtain with a breathable pocket made of mesh type material, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A-2C shows a perspective view of the curtain with a breathable hem pocket consisting a plurality of openings of different types.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description of the preferred embodiments presents a description of certain specific embodiments to assist in understanding the claims. However, the present invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

The terms “curtain”, “curtain barrier” and “sidewall curtains” are used interchangeably herein. The term “curtain” used herein comprises agricultural, commercial and industrial curtains including dairy barn curtains, equestrian curtains, swine barn curtains, poultry barn curtains. The tern “hem pockets” refers to pockets created by folding over an edge of a fabric and sewed or welded to form a pocket.

The present disclosure relates to a curtain barrier for agricultural or industrial applications. The curtain barrier comprises a curtain body made of a non-porous fabric material and at least one breathable pocket, extending along the bottom edge of the curtain body. In one embodiment, the breathable pocket may comprise a mesh or a porous fabric material attached to the curtain body, the breathable pocket allows airflow in and out of the pocket, moisture control, reduces collection of sediment and organic matter within the pocket.

Referring to FIG. 1, shows a perspective view of the curtain barrier with a breathable pocket 120 made of mesh type material 122. The breathable pocket 120 is permanently or removably attached to the bottom edge of the curtain body 110. In certain embodiments the breathable pocket 120 is made of a porous fabric material or a porous membrane which allows airflow and moisture drainage.

In another embodiment, the breathable pocket may comprise a hemmed non-porous fabric material of the curtain body, comprising a plurality of openings distributed substantially throughout the breathable pocket. FIG. 2A-2C shows perspective views of breathable pockets comprising hemmed non-porous fabric with a plurality of openings of different types.

In an exemplary embodiment, the breathable pocket may comprise a hemmed non-porous fabric portion with a plurality of punch holes or weep holes distributed throughout the pocket as shown in FIG. 2A. In another example, the hemmed pocket of the non-porous fabric comprises a plurality of slits, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C. In another embodiment, the slits or holes are disposed horizontally at the bottom portion of the pockets.

Since these curtain barriers are typically used in environments that is full of dust and debris from soil, animal feed, manure and dirt, the chances are high for accumulation of sediment, dust and organic matter inside the bottom hem pockets of the curtain barriers. The sediments, especially the decayed organic matter, results in microbial growth and also infestation by insects and rodents. The breathable pocket of the present invention consists a plurality of holes or slits that allows airflow in and out of the pocket, moisture drainage control and reduces collection of sediment, dirt, dust and organic matter within the pocket.

Conventional agricultural or industrial curtains comprises a non-porous or near porous material which is folded over at the bottom and hemmed to create a non-breathable, non-ventilated pocket. The non-breathable pockets tend to trap air inside the pockets, which prevent the curtains from rolling up evenly. Whereas curtains with breathable pocket prevents trapping of air or moisture within the pocket and allows rolling up of the curtain barrier evenly.

The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims. 

1. A curtain barrier comprising: a curtain body made of a non-porous fabric material; and at least one breathable pocket, extending along the bottom edge of the curtain body.
 2. The curtain barrier of claim 1, wherein the at least one breathable pocket is made of a mesh or a porous material with ventilation, attached to the bottom edge of the curtain body.
 3. The curtain barrier of claim 1, wherein the at least one breathable pocket comprises a hemmed non-porous fabric material consisting a plurality of openings.
 4. The curtain barrier of claim 3, wherein the plurality of openings comprises punch holes, weep holes and narrow slits.
 5. The curtain barrier of claim 1, wherein the non-porous fabric material is selected from a group consisting vinyl, polyester, polypropylene and polyethylene fabric.
 6. The curtain barrier of claim 1, wherein the at least one breathable pocket allows airflow and moisture control.
 7. The curtain barrier of claim 1, wherein the at least one breathable pocket allows to minimize sediment collection within the pocket.
 8. The curtain barrier of claim 1, wherein the at least one breathable pocket allows rolling up of the curtain body evenly. 